CHAIRS’ STATEMENT
High Level Meeting of the Global Polio Partners Group (PPG)
Monday, 16 June 2014
On 16 June 2014, a high-level meeting of the Polio Partners
Group of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was convened in Geneva
at the World Health Organization headquarters where stakeholders re-affirmed
their commitment to follow through on the Endgame strategy for achieving polio
eradication. Emphasis was placed on the need to strengthen outbreak prevention
and response efforts, on actions being taken to actively keep the three endemic
countries on track to stop transmission of the polio virus, and on the
implementation of measures to vaccinate travellers from key infected countries
under the International Health Regulations. Attention was devoted to
initiatives aimed at further enhancing program oversight and governance, on the
critical role of communications and social mobilization in tackling remaining
obstacles to eradication, on plans to introduce the Inactivated Polio Vaccine
(IPV), on the development of the global polio legacy framework, and on
financial and budget matters. Participants formally endorsed the revised GPEI
monitoring framework for the Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018.
During the high level meeting, PPG stakeholders:
Expressed concern at recent backward
trends, underscored the need to avoid complacency and pessimism, and
reiterated the need to remain focused on effectively responding to the
challenges highlighted in the recent Independent Monitoring Board report,
including by collaborating to:
1) sustain the positive momentum in Nigeria and Afghanistan
in 2014, including by ensuring focused attention during Nigeria’s upcoming
elections period and Afghanistan’s own political transition;
2) support Pakistan in reshaping its program so it can
achieve success; and
3) strengthen outbreak prevention and response, including in
“Red List” countries at risk.
Called on the GPEI Polio Oversight
Board (POB) to brief PPG stakeholders at their Fall meeting on steps taken to
enhance outbreak prevention and management efforts.
Stressed the need for GPEI and GAVI
Alliance partners to continue their efforts to reinforce the
relationship between polio and routine immunization activities, and noted
Global Polio Partners Group
the consequences of this in relation to IPV introduction and
social mobilization campaigns.
Underscored the importance of
communication and social mobilization initiatives to reach missed children and
overcome family and community mistrust, and expressed appreciation for
sophisticated and detailed analysis provided, while calling on GPEI to show
greater alignment between immunization success and investments in social
mobilization efforts.
Expressed appreciation for the planned
uptake of IPV in a large number of GAVI-eligible countries. Stakeholders
recalled the need for countries to define their target introduction
dates as soon as possible to ensure that sufficient quantities of inactivated
polio vaccine are available when required. Stakeholders recommended that the
POB pursue targeted follow-up at a high level with non-GAVI-eligible countries
by writing to ask that they share their plans for IPV introduction, and they
also called for donors to consider providing financial support for the
introduction of IPV in these countries.
Took note of POB plans to enhance its
transparency, accountability and stakeholder engagement, and welcomed
the update provided on plans for an open and objective management review of the
polio program being commissioned by the POB. Stakeholders expressed interest in
providing bilateral feedback to the consultants conducting the review, and in
being provided interim feedback on the review’s progress during a PPG working
level teleconference call possibly to be convened in late August or early
September. Stakeholders outlined the importance of this review and requested
that the POB present the outcomes of the management review at the Fall PPG
meeting.
Expressed appreciation for the
increased transparency provided on financing and budget matters, called for all
contributions supporting polio eradication to be reflected in GPEI financial
reporting (in addition to financial contributions channelled through WHO and
UNICEF and reported in Financial Resource Requirements), sought additional
clarifications and precision regarding funding gap analysis, and recommended
that GPEI assist donors in further highlighting contributions made and the use
of innovative financing mechanisms, including through reaching out to the
global media and social media.
Acknowledged the progress achieved in
the development of the Global Legacy Framework, expressed interest in
providing input during the consultation process, and
considered the value of convening a working level workshop
in Geneva in the fall. The PPG Co-Chairs committed to revert to stakeholders
with possible dates.
Endorsed the revised GPEI Monitoring
Framework, expressing appreciation for the consultation process that was
conducted in advance of the presentation to the PPG. The framework is seen as
having the potential to enable a more comprehensive tracking of the program’s
progress and results and as being more relevant for key external stakeholders,
including to ensure accountability to taxpayers and other stakeholders .
The PPG asked the two Co-Chairs to send the PPG Chairs’
Statement to the GPEI Polio Oversight Board, the Polio Steering Committee, and
the Independent Monitoring Board for their consideration and action, and to
report on these results at the POB meeting scheduled for June 20, 2014.
